Methods of manufacturing flanged bearings

ABSTRACT

A flanged bearing has a thin wall flexible bearing liner and end flanges formed as separate components. The flanges are attached to the liners by radial lugs on the inner peripheries of the flanges which engage in slots in the axial ends of the liner so that the curvature of the liner can vary with respect to the flanges. Outwardly projecting stakes are formed in the end edges of the liner to prevent the flanges disengaging axially from the liner while permitting limited axial float of the flanges with respect to the liner.

United States Patent 1 Hill et al.

[54] METHODS OF MANUFACTURING FLANGED BEARlNGS [75] Inventors: JosephHenry Hill, Greenford;

Geoffrey Philip Keeling; Roger- Hugh Spikes, Marlow, all of England [73]Assignee: Vandervell Products Berkshire, England [22] Filed: Aug. 9,1971 [21] Appl. No.: 170,255

Limited,

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 25, 1970 Great Britain..45,904/70 [52] U.S. Cl ..308/237 [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6c 33/14 [58] Fieldof Search ..308/237, 23, 235,161,165, 308/167, 36; 29/513 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1938 Gilman ..308/237 1 Jan.30, 1973 3,251,119 5/1966 Kingsbury et al ..308/237 3,361,502 1/1968Weinkamer et a1. ....308/237 3,375,563 4/1968 Kingsbury et a1 ..308l237FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS 1,012,142 12/1965 Great Britain..308/237 Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Assistant Examiner-BarryGrossman Attorney-Raymond J. Mawhinney et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A flanged bearing has a thin wall flexible bearing linerand end flanges formed as separate components. The flanges are attachedto the liners by radial lugs on the inner peripheries of the flangeswhich engage in slots in the axial ends of the liner so that thecurvature of the liner can vary with respect to the flanges. Outwardlyprojecting stakes are formed in theend edges of'the liner to prevent theflanges disengaging axially from the liner while permitting limitedaxial float of the flanges with respect to the liner.

' 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 30 I975 SHEET 10F 4 d Mai N11! OSIPH HLNRY ILL. 87; a) y A-r'l-v PATENTEUJAN30 I973 SHEET 3 OF 4IIIYFNVN? JOSEPH namu HILL r.

METHODS OF MANUFACTURING FLANGED BEARINGS This invention relates toflanged half bearings and also to methods of manufacturing flanged halfbearings.

The invention provides a flanged half bearing comprising a thin wallflexible half bearing liner and a flange extending radially outwardly ofat least one axial end of the liner characterized in that the flange isattached to the liner by means which allow the circumferential shape ofthe liner to vary relative to the flange.

Thus when the flanged bearing is located in a housing the liner can bendto conform to the shape of the housing without restriction by theflange, and also the liner can vary in shape with variation in shape ofthe housing due to load on the housing when in use without restrictionby the flange.

Preferably the attachment means also permit relative movement of theflange with respect to the liner in a direction parallel to the axis ofthe liner. Thus the flange can move with respect to the liner to seat onthe housing in which the bearing is located.

It is also preferred that one of the said flanges is provided at bothaxial ends of the liner.

In any of the arrangements referred to above the flange may encirclesaid axial end of the liner and the attachment means may comprise aplurality of lugs spaced apart around the inner periphery of the flangeand a plurality of corresponding slots in the end of the liner in whichthe lugs engage.

Three lugs may be provided at spaced locations which engage in threecorresponding slots in the end of the liner.

In either of the latter arrangements radially outwardly projectingabutment means may be provided at the end of the liner to prevent theflange from disengaging axially from the liner whilst permitting axialmovement of the flange with respect to the liner.

The abutment means may comprise a number of separate abutments locatedat the edge of the liner on either side of each slot.

Alternatively the abutment means comprises a lip around said end of theliner between the slots.

In any of the arrangements in which the flange has lugs which engage inslots in the liner the inner periphery of the end portion of the linermay be chamfered and the sides of the lugs which face axially away fromthe liner are also chamfered.

The liner and flange may each comprise a backing and a layer or layersof bearing material.

The flange and liner may have backings of different thickness.

The layers of bearing material on the liner and the flange may be ofdifferent thickness.

The flange and liner may have coatings of different bearing materials.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing flanged halfbearings having a thin wall flexible half bearing liner and a flangeextending radially outwardly of at least one axial end of the linercomprising forming the liner and flange as separate components, formingthe liner and flange with attachment means for retaining the flange onthe liner which allow the circumferential shape of the liner to varyrelative to the flange, and attaching the flange to the liner by saidmeans.

lnwardly projecting lugs may be formed around the inner periphery of theflange and corresponding radial slots may be formed in the end of theliner to provide the attachment means.

Abutment means may be provided around the end of the liner which projectradially outwardly to prevent axial disengagement of the flange from theliner whilst permitting limited axial movement of the flange withrespect to the liner. v

The edge of the liner on either side of each slot may be deformedoutwardly to form abutments for limiting axial movement of the flangewith respect to the liner.

Alternatively the edge of the liner may be deformed outwardly betweenthe slots by rolling or pressing to provide abutments to limit axialmovement of the flange with respect to the liner.

A chamfer may be formed around the inner peripheral edge of the liner.

Preferably separate flanges are attached to both ends of the liner.

The following is a description of some specific embodiments of theinvention reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flanged half bearing formed from aseparate liner and flanges;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bearing shown in FIG. 1 with theflanges separated from the bearing;

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a machine for forming chamfers on theflanges of the bearing prior to assembly of the bearing;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a machine for forming slots in thecircumferential edges of the bearing liner of the flanged bearing beforethe bearing is assembled; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an apparatus for assembling the flangesand bearing liners.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown aflanged bearing comprising a thin wall flexible half bearing liner 10which has a steel back 11 and a coating 12 of bearing material such aslead bronze with or without an overlay of lead indium around its innersurface. The axial end faces 13 of the liner are chamfered so that theliner tapers towards the inner surface thereof. At each axial end of theliner three spaced radial rectangular slots 14 are formed which openinto the chamfered face 13. One slot 14 is formed at the center of theaxial end of the liner and the other two slots are spaced equally oneither side of the central slot towards the circumferential ends of theliner.

Radially outwardly extending flanges 15 encircle the outer face of theliner 10 at each axial endthereof. Each flange comprises a steel backinglayer 16 and the thrust faces of the flanges have coatings of bearingmaterial such as an aluminum tin alloy containing percent aluminum and20 percent tin.

Each flange is formed around its inner periphery with three inwardlyprojecting lugs 18 which are rectangular in contour and engage in theslots 14 of the circumferential end of the liner to locate 'the flangeon the liner.

The inner periphery of the flange is chamfered as indicated at 19 on theside to which the bearing material 17 is applied and the lugs 18 aresimilarly chamfered so The outer circumferential edge at each end of theliner is indented on either side of each slot 14 to form radiallyoutwardly projecting stakes 20 which overlie the chamfered edge 19 ofthe flange and prevent the flange from being separated from the liner inan axial direction. The stakes are formed so that the flanges arepermitted limited axial movement with respect to the liner.

In use a pair of the flanged bearings are mounted in a housing with thecircumferential ends of one bearing abutting the circumferential ends ofthe other bearing and a crankshaft is supported in the bearings with ajournal of the crankshaft engaging the liners and checks of thecrankshaft engaging the thrust faces of the flanges.

The connection of the flanges to the liner by the aforesaid lugs andslots permits the liner to vary to a certain extent in circumferentialshape without restriction by the flanges. The liner is manufactured sothat the distance between the circumferential ends is greater than thatof the diameter of the housing in which the flanged bearing is to bemounted. When the flanged bearing is pressed into the housing thecircumferential ends of the liner are sprung towards one another but thelug and slot connections between the flanges and the liner allow thischange in shape without distorting the flanges.

Distortion of the flanges can be detrimental because if the flanges of abearing are inclined inwardly towards one another when the bearing isinserted in the housing the flanges will only engage the cheeks of thecrankshaft around their inner edges and this will prevent outward flowof lubricating oil between the thrust faces and crankshaft cheeks. As aresult the flanges will wear rapidly at their inner edges.

If, alternatively the flanges were turned outwardly away from oneanother when the bearing is inserted in the housing they would onlyengage the crankshaft cheeks around their outer edges resulting in highwear at the outer edges.

The limited axial movement permitted between the flanges and liner ofthe bearing enables the flanges to move with respect to the liner whenthe liner is located in a housing to seat against the housing thuscatering for slight manufacturing tolerances in the lengths of thehousings.

The flanges and bearing liner of the flanged bearing described above aremanufactured as separate components. The flanges are blanked from stripbearing material in conventional manner, the only difference being thatthe flanges are formed with the inwardly projecting lugs 18. The flangesare then passed to the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawingswhich forms the chamfer I8 around the inner periphery of each flange.The apparatus comprises a fixed vertical plate 30 on one side of whichthere is a magazine formed by vertical guide rods 31 which hold a stack32 of flanges with the sides of the flanges coated with bearing material17 uppermost. The rods 31 of the magazine are adjustably mounted asindicated at 33 to cater for different sizes of flanges. The horizontaltable 34 is spaced below the lower edge 35 of the plate 30 by thethickness of one flange and is reciprocable in a direction transverse tothe plane of the plate 30. At one end of the table 34 there is an insetflange nest 36 which has a semicircular recess 37 in one endcorresponding in radius to the inner radius of the flanges. An arcuaterecess 38 is formed in the upper surface of the nest 36 around therecess 37 to receive one flange. Different flange nests are provided fordifferent sizes of flanges. The flange can be clamped in the recess by aclamping member 39 mounted on a vertically reciprocating pneumatic ram40 which is mounted on the opposite side of the plate 30 the magazine.The circumferential ends of the flange abut stops 41 which are mountedon the edge of the table and are adjustable to cater for flanges ofdifferent sizes.

The table reciprocates horizontally in a direction transverse to theplane of the plate 30 between a forward cutting position as illustratedand a rearward position in which the arcuate recess 38 is locatedbetween the magazine of flanges to receive a flange. In the forwardposition of the table a flange 15 is clamped in the recess by the ram 40and a tool 42 which rotates at high speed about a vertical axis and hasa horizontally projecting cutter tool 43 is traversed in a semicircularpath over the upper inner peripheral edge of the flange to form thechamfer 19 around the upper inner edge of the flange and on the lugs 18.When the cutter has completed the cutting operation the ram 40 isretracted releasing the clamping member 39 and the table is withdrawn tothe rearward position. A downwardly loaded spring pawl 44 mountedadjacent the lower end of the table displaces the flange from thearcuate recess 38 as the table moves rearwardly so that the recess canthen receive the next flange. I

The bearing liners 10 are manufactured in a conventional manner. The endfaces of the liners are then chamfered to form the chamfered faces 13 asdescribed above and the liners are then passed to the machineillustrated in H0. 5 of the drawings in which the slots 14 are punchedin the axial ends of the liners. The machine, the right hand part ofwhich has been cut away in the drawing, comprises a carrier 50 which ismounted for horizontal movement on fixed pillars 51. A punch holder 52is mounted on the carrier having a semicircular recess 53 for receivinga liner and spring loaded pressure arms 54 engage the circumferentialends of the liner to hold the liner in position in the recess 53. Pairsof punches 55 are slidable in bores in the punch holder 52 at locationsspaced around the die corresponding to the spacing of the required slots14 in the liner. Each pair of punches is mounted on a holder 56 locatedin a recess in the outer periphery of the die. The holder 56 is fixedagainst movement by a rod 57 which connects the holder to a fixedcross-member 59. A coil spring 61 encircling the rod 57 acts between thecarrier 50 and the cross members 59 to urge the carrier away from thecross-member. The blocks 55 for the two other pairs of punches areconnected through hell crank levers 63 pivoted on the carrier to similarrods 57 encircled by further springs 61.

A breach block 64 is slidably mounted on the pillars 51 and is driven ineither direction by a pneumatic ram 65. A semi-circular die 66 ismounted on-a side of the breach block adjacent the carrier 50.

The breach block 64 is traversed towards the carrier 50 by the ram 65which pressed the die 66 into engagement with a bearing liner located inthe recess 53 and further movement of the breach block forces thecarrier 50 towards the cross-member 59 against the action of the springs61. The punches 55 held stationary by the rods 57 project from the boresin the punch holder 52 and are driven by the movement of the liner withthe die 66, and punch holder 52 through the circumferential edges of theliner. At the end of the punching movement the ram 65 is retracted andthe carrier 50 is returned to its initial position under the action ofthe springs 61 thus withdrawing the punches into the bores in the punchholder 52.

Liners are fed to the recess 53 from a magazine 67 located over therecess and are driven into the recess by a ram 68. The action of drivinga liner into the recess displaces the liner punched in the previousoperation from the recess downwardly where it is guided by guides 69onto a conveyor 70.

The rods 57 are adjustably mounted in the crossmember to vary theinitial position of the carrier and thereby vary the movement of thepunches 55 with respect to the punch holder 52 for a given stroke of theram 65.

The punched liner and chamfered flanges are then assembled in theassembly fixture shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings to which reference isnow made. The fixture, part of which is omitted from the drawing,comprises a central block 75 having an upwardly facing arcuate recess 76for receiving a liner and an abutment 77 is provided at onecircumferential end of the recess 76 to hold the liner in situ. Themember 75 is located on two horizontally extending pillars 78 and twofurther members 79 are slidably mounted on pillars 78 on either side ofthe member 75. Each member 79 is formed on the side adjacent the member75 with a semi-circular recess 80 to receive a flange and on abutment80a is provided for engaging one circumferential end of the flanges toensure correct alignment with the liner. Located on the opposite side ofeach member 79 is a punch carrier 81 (only one is illustrated) which isalso guided on the pillars 78 and is driven towards and away from themember 75 by a pneumatic ram 82. The punch carrier has three adjustablymounted punches 83 and each member 79 is provided with three apertures84 through which the punches 83 can pass to engage the circumferentialedges of the liner on either side of each slot 14 to indent the edgesthereby forming the stakes in the outer circumferential edges of theliner to retain the flanges on the liner. Each punch carrier 81 and itsadjacent member 79 are spaced by spring loaded plungers 85.

Initial movement of each carrier 81 towards the member 75 under theaction of the rams 82 locates the flange 15 carried by the member 79around the axial end of the liner located in the member 75 with the lugs18 of the flange engaged in the slots 14 in the liner. The member 79remains stationary during further movement of the carrier 81 and thepunches 83 pass through the apertures 84 in the member 79 and indent thecircumferential edges of the liner as described above. The rams thenretract the carriers 81 and members 79 and an ejector pin 83 located inthe surface of the recess 76 in the member is raised to release theassembled flange half bearing from the member 75.

It will be appreciated that many modifications may be made to theabove-described flanged half bearings without departing from the scopeof the invention. For example the thickness of the backing layers of theflanges and liner of the bearings may differ and the thickness andbearing material of the flanges and liner may also differ.

Also the coating of bearing marerial on either the flanges or the linermay comprise a plurality of layers of differing materials.

Instead of providing abutments 20 for holding the flanges against axialdisengagement from the liner, the whole peripheral edge of the liner maybe rolled to form an outwardly projecting lip to retain the flange onthe liner. Also the slots 14 in the liners may be formed by milling orcutting instead of punching.

We claim:

1. A flanged half bearing comprising a thin wall flexible half bearingliner and a flange extending radially outwardly of at least one axialend of the liner wherein the improvement comprises attaching the flangeto the liner by means which allow the circumferential shape of the linerto vary relative to the flange.

2. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attachmentmeans permit relative movement of the flange with respect to the linerin a direction parallel to the axis of the liner.

3. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the saidflanges is provided at both axial ends of the liner.

4. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flangeencircles said axial end of the liner and the attachment means comprisea plurality of lugs spaced apart around the inner periphery of theflange and a plurality of corresponding slots in the end of the liner inwhich the lugs engage.

5. A flanged half hearing as claimed in claim 4 wherein three lugs areprovided at spaced locations which engage in three corresponding slotsin the end of the liner.

6. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 4 wherein radiallyoutwardly projecting abutment means are provided at the end of the linerto prevent the flange from disengaging axially from the liner whilstpermitting limited axial movement of the flange with respect to theliner.

7. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 6 wherein the abutmentmeans comprise a number of separate abutments located at the edge of theliner on either side of each slot.

8. A flanged half hearing as claimed in claim 6 wherein the abutmentmeans comprises a lip around said end of the liner between the slots.

9. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 4 wherein the innerperiphery of the end portion of the liner is chamfered and the sides ofthe lugs which face axially away from the liner are also chamfered.

10. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liner andflange each comprise a backing and a layer or layers of bearingmaterial.

11. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 10 12. A flanged halfbearing as claimed in claim 10 wherein the layers of bearing material onthe liner and the flange are of different thickness.

13. A flanged half bearing as claimed in ciaim 10 wherein the flange andliner have coatings of different 5 bearing materials.

1. A flanged half bearing comprising a thin wall flexible half bearingliner and a flange extending radially outwardly of at least one axialend of the liner wherein the improvement comprises attaching the flangeto the liner by means which allow the circumferential shape of the linerto vary relative to the flange.
 1. A flanged half bearing comprising athin wall flexible half bearing liner and a flange extending radiallyoutwardly of at least one axial end of the liner wherein the improvementcomprises attaching the flange to the liner by means which allow thecircumferential shape of the liner to vary relative to the flange.
 2. Aflanged half bearing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attachment meanspermit relative movement of the flange with respect to the liner in adirection parallel to the axis of the liner.
 3. A flanged half bearingas claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the said flanges is provided atboth axial ends of the liner.
 4. A flanged half bearing as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the flange encircles said axial end of the liner and theattachment means comprise a plurality of lugs spaced apart around theinner periphery of the flange and a plurality of corresponding slots inthe end of the liner in which the lugs engage.
 5. A flanged half bearingas claimed in claim 4 wherein three lugs are provided at spacedlocations which engage in three corresponding slots in the end of theliner.
 6. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 4 wherein radiallyoutwardly projecting abutment means are provided at the end of the linerto prevent the flange from disengaging axially from the liner whilstpermitting limited axial movement of the flange with respect to theliner.
 7. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 6 wherein theabutment means comprise a number of separate abutments located at theedge of the liner On either side of each slot.
 8. A flanged half bearingas claimed in claim 6 wherein the abutment means comprises a lip aroundsaid end of the liner between the slots.
 9. A flanged half bearing asclaimed in claim 4 wherein the inner periphery of the end portion of theliner is chamfered and the sides of the lugs which face axially awayfrom the liner are also chamfered.
 10. A flanged half bearing as claimedin claim 1 wherein the liner and flange each comprise a backing and alayer or layers of bearing material.
 11. A flanged half bearing asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the flange and liner have backings ofdifferent thickness.
 12. A flanged half bearing as claimed in claim 10wherein the layers of bearing material on the liner and the flange areof different thickness.